Dear Brothers and Sisters,"If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above..." (Col 3:1). This is the call of everyone who is baptized into Christ. The call of every Christian. To seek what is above. Saint Paul continues in our second reading with a list of behaviors, actions and attitudes that distract and restrain us from seeking what is above, the Kingdom of God.

"Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self..."

The "old self" he refers to is the person I used to be before I knew Jesus Christ. It also means the person I was before the life of Christ was given to me at my baptism. But our baptized life must be renewed and lived each day.

This week were saddened by news that an 85 year old priest of God, Father Jacques Hamel was martyred by Islamic terrorists while celebrating Mass in St.-Étienne-du-Rouvray, the working-class town in Normandy, France where he had spent much of his life. The parishioners and two nuns were held hostage during this tragic event.

But a portrait of the life of Father Jacques has begun to emerge. Father Jacques had recently told a brother priest who asked him to retire "I will work until my last breath." He left this world fully alive in Christ. He often told his parishioners to "aim for sanctity," and " do not think that holiness is not for us."

News from the Pope:Pope: World is at war but it’s not a war of religions but for power-(Vatican Radio) Referring to recent acts of violence, Pope Francis said on Wednesday that the world is at war but stressed “it is not a war of religions but for power. "It is," he continued, “a war about (economic) interests, money, natural resources and the domination of peoples."...Read More

News from the Church:French Bishops: Fast with Us on Friday over Priest Killed in Hatred of the Faith- KRAKOW — In response to the murder of Father Jacques Hamel by believed sympathizers of Islamic State, also known as Daesh or ISIS, the French bishops have called on the Church’s members to mark Friday, July 29, as a day of fasting. Msgr. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, secretary general of the French Bishops’ Conference, discussed the decision July 26. “What happened in France had happened in other countries before, and actually we see Christians laying down their lives in the interests of their faith,” he told journalists gathered in Krakow for World Youth Day.’....Read more

The next corporal work of mercy is often titled, “visiting the imprisoned” and focuses on being a beacon of hope and mercy to those who are tempted to go deeper into despair.

A pre-requisite of this corporal work of mercy is a sincere desire for the eternal salvation of all souls, even the imprisoned. God does not delight in the death of a sinner, but would rather have someone turn around and embrace a life of virtue. That should be our desire as well.

We should look at prisoners with the heart of God and while we certainly condemn their past actions, we need to do what we can to help them reunite with Christ and His Church. Prison ministry in particular is a great way to encounter Christ in jail, but there is another way to "visit" the imprisoned without physically being there.

Another way that we can participate in this work of mercy is to imitate Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Before she entered the convent Saint Thérèse learned about a criminal sentenced to death and decided to fervently pray for his conversion. Here is how she describes it in Story of a Soul:

“Just then I heard much talk of a notorious criminal, Pranzini, who was sentenced to death for several shocking murders, and, as he was quite impenitent…How I longed to avert this irreparable calamity! In order to do so I employed all the spiritual means I could think of, and, knowing that my own efforts were unavailing, I offered for his pardon the infinite merits of Our Savior and the treasures of Holy Church…I said in all simplicity: ‘My God, I am quite sure that Thou wilt pardon this unhappy Pranzini. I should still think so if he did not confess his sins or give any sign of sorrow, because I have such confidence in Thy unbounded Mercy; but this is my first sinner, and therefore I beg for just one sign of repentance to reassure me.’ My prayer was granted to the letter…The day after his execution I hastily opened the paper, La Croix, and what did I see? … Pranzini had mounted the scaffold without confessing or receiving absolution, and the executioners were already dragging him towards the fatal block, when all at once, apparently in answer to a sudden inspiration, he turned round, seized the crucifix which the Priest was offering to him, and kissed Our Lord's Sacred Wounds three times.”

We must not forget the imprisoned or treat them like refuse to be thrown away. God loves them and He desires their salvation. We must all discern how we can practice this much needed corporal work of mercy.

Bury the Dead

The Catechism exhorts us to respect the bodies of the dead and to bury them with dignity:

"2300 The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy; it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit."

That is why we must do what we can to bury our beloved family members, wether they are cremated or placed in a casket. Burying the dead is a sacred event, one which should never be taken lightly.

It is because of the sacred character of burying the dead that the Church does notallow the scattering of ashes nor is it proper to keep the cremated remains in the home:

"The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, and the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition. The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains on the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires." (no. 417) (USCCB, emphasis added)​We need to treat our loved ones' remains with dignity and honor. It is a corporal work of mercy to bury the dead and so we need to practice this with our own family members.

That concludes the series on the Spiritual & Corporal Works of Mercy. Let us go forward in this Jubilee Year ready to show the world the beauty of God's Mercy lived out in our lives.​​Read the Entire Series

Saint Paul​Our Mother Mary needs your help! We are down to 2 volunteers that come every Monday at St. Paul’s from 10:30 to 1:00 pm to make rosary’s that are sent all over the world. Supplies are on hand. Please find it in your heart to help out with how ever much time you can spare!

Mission Appeal: On July 30 & 31st we are glad to have Fr. John Peter give his mission appeal for India.

The Shed is finally finished!! Thank you to those who worked hard to make this happen: Tom Heindl, Jim Nicksic, Otto Nicksic, Margo Weiland, Isaac LaBudda, Sheldon LaBudda, Joe Nicksic , Ben Olson and Father Letona.

Fall Festival September 18, 2016: It is time to start planning for our Fall Festival. Again we are in need of small raffle items. If you have something to contribute please contact Janet Hoile at 562-3242 before September 10th.

Country Market Chair of St. Paul’s Fall Festival reminds you we will need donations of produce & home made or canned foods. Also other new or like new items that might e sold in the country Store.

Fall Festival Bake Sale: It is time to think about what you would want to make for the Fall Festival Bake Sale. Please be generous!

Saint Michael

“A Scrap Book History of St. Michaels”: Shirley Finucan is working on this wonderful project and is looking for your family data relating to their history with St. Michaels church. There will be a box at the back of the church for you to put your memories and pictures. (Dates of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, etc. are needed as well from 2005 on newer).

Saint JamesSt. James entrance ramp is complete. A huge THANK YOU to all who donated to this most worthy addition to the church. We thank Sam LaPorte for his hard work and dedication. His design adds beauty to the church.

The city of Camp Douglas will be starting the street renovation in front of the church, so be careful when you are coming to Mass on Saturday

Please remember to donate to the Camp Douglas Food Pantry. There are several drop spots here in Camp Douglas.

Every week we hear of terrorist attacks, violence against minorities, violence against law enforcement, persecution, all these are the degradation of the sanctity of human life.

What is our response to these things, as followers of Jesus Christ in His Holy Catholic Church? One response is to remember what Joshua said when the people of God rebelled against the Lord:“If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15). Everyone has a choice to make. We cannot choose for other people. But we must be sure that our lives, our “house,” serves the Lord, that we are doing what we ought to live in holiness and righteousness.

We can offer prayer, fasting, and penance. “Prayer restores man to God’s likeness and enables him to share in the power of God’s love that saves the multitude.” (Catechism 2572)

Our readings today are all about prayer. “In bargaining with God, Abraham demonstrates a real persistence in prayer as he intercedes for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (c.f. Gen 18:20-32). Jesus invites us to persist in prayer as well, to ‘ask... seek... knock’ (c.f. Luke 11:1-13).” (Ordo)

Our Psalm, regarding prayer, teaches us to trust that the Lord will hear and answer our fervent prayer and build up what strength we need. “When I called you answered me; you built up strength within me” (Psalm 138:3).

God bless you all, Father Robert Letona

A Note from Fr. Peter who will be visiting July 30 and 31st .

Dear friends, Greetings and prayerful wishes from Fr. Peter from the Catholic diocese of Vellore, India, but now I am working here in this diocese of La Crosse for the last two years. I am delighted about the opportunity to share some details of our diocese ministry with you these days July 30 and 31.

Can you imagine a land where cows are holy and animal sacrifices take place daily? Can you imagine a land where 2.5% Christians put their faith into action through a challenging ministry among 82% Hindus? Can you imagine a land where many of your privileges are denied because you are Christian? But with all these my Diocese Vellore does a wonderful ministry of proclaiming the good news and the works of charity such as running school for the poor and renovating homes for families, leading children’s outreach programs, working at homeless shelters, responding to natural disasters, and reaching out to individuals and communities through Christian service.

The diocese struggles to accomplish all these projects successfully. So it seeks your help and support, most importantly your prayer support. Prayer is the fuel that will allow us to be successful as we follow God’s leading in ministry in India. Without prayer, nothing will happen. If you would like to be part of this mission through your financial support, write a check to your parish. Thank you very much for your kindness and generosity to the church in Vellore, India. Your contributions will continue to strengthen our ministerial initiatives and evangelization efforts. ​God bless you. Father Peter Kendall.

The next corporal work of mercy (visiting the sick), is one that greatly comforts those who are suffering. Being sick and confined either in the hospital or at home is a lonely affair. It can be tempting to remain isolated and even to be in a state of despair and that is why it is so important to visit the sick.

One person who highlighted this particular corporal work of mercy was St. John Paul II. He is an inspiration to many and challenges us all to renew our own efforts in performing this work of mercy.

John Paul II – Friend of the Sick

As the Archbishop of Kraków, Karol Wojtyła often visited the sick and aging throughout his diocese. He saw being present to those who were suffering as a central part of his ministry and believed that their prayers and sacrifices gave him vitality. After celebrating Mass at the chapel of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Kraków, Archbishop Wojtyła visited those in the infirmary where he said to them:

Even while visiting central Wisconsin as a cardinal, Wojtyła chose to visit the sick. For example:

"After spending the night in the Sentry Apartments [in Stevens Point], Cardinal Wojtyła concelebrated Mass at St. Joseph’s Convent. He was invited to stay and eat breakfast with the Sisters of Saint Joseph and then visited two nursing homes: River Pines Community Health Center and the Portage County Home" (In the Footsteps of a Saint: John Paul II's Visit to Wisconsin).

Scheduling a visit to nursing homes was a hallmark of Wojtyła's life-long ministry, but that was not the only time he visiting the sick during his visit to central Wisconsin. He also had an impromptu opportunity when he heard that a local farmer was ill and confined to his home:

After being elected pope, John Paul II’s first trip outside the Vatican was to visit one of his good friends at the Gemelli hospital recovering from a massive stroke. During his short visit John Paul II spoke to the patients and asked for their prayers. He later recalled:

“I said to the patients that I counted greatly, very greatly indeed, on them: for their prayers and especially for the offering of their sufferings, which could provide me with a special strength, a strength that was and is necessary to me in order to perform in a less worthy manner my serious duties in the bosom of the church of Christ” (Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves)

John Paul II frequented Gemelli throughout his pontificate both as a visitor and as a patient. He even jokingly called the hospital his third papal residence, “Vatican III.”

While on a papal trip to Nigeria in 1982, John Paul II visited a hospital where he spoke words of comfort to the sick and related his own experience being in a hospital:

“Although God allows suffering to exist in the world, he does not enjoy it. Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, loved the sick; he devoted a great part of his earthly ministry to healing the sick and comforting the afflicted. Our God is a God of compassion and consolation. ​I also know personally what it means to be sick and to stay in hospital for a long time, and how it is possible to comfort and support others who share the same lot of confinement and suffering, and how necessary it is to pray for the sick and to show them one’s loving concern" (Address in St. Charles Borromeo Hospital).

We all know what it feels like to be sick and at home or in a hospital. It is isolating and often very painful. The presence of visitors can often lift-up the heart of a patient and remind them that they are not alone.

The challenge for us is to get outside of our comfort zone and do something for others, the weakest, and most vulnerable of society.

Let us ask for Saint John Paul II’s intercession this Jubilee Year so that we can have the courage to visit the sick and imitate his example of Christ-like love.

Saint Paul​Our Mother Mary needs your help! We are down to 2 volunteers that come every Monday at St. Paul’s from 10:30 to 1:00 pm to make rosary’s that are sent all over the world. Supplies are on hand. Please find it in your heart to help out with how ever much time you can spare!

Help is needed! Please consider signing up to assist God by being a Lector, an Adult Funeral Server, a Mass server, an Eucharistic Minister, or a Sacristan. Contact the rectory , Father Letona will have summer training for each. ​

Fall Festival September 18, 2016: It is time to start planning for our Fall Festival. Again we are in need of small raffle items. If you have something to contribute please contact Janet Hoile at 562-3242 before September 10th.

Saint Michael

“A Scrap Book History of St. Michaels”: Shirley Finucan is working on this wonderful project and is looking for your family data relating to their history with St. Michaels church. There will be a box at the back of the church for you to put your memories and pictures. (Dates of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, etc. are needed as well from 2005 on newer).

Saint JamesSt. James entrance ramp is complete. A huge THANK YOU to all who donated to this most worthy addition to the church. We thank Sam LaPorte for his hard work and dedication. His design adds beauty to the church.

The city of Camp Douglas will be starting the street renovation in front of the church, so be careful when you are coming to Mass on SaturdayPlease remember to donate to the Camp Douglas Food Pantry. There are several drop spots here in Camp Douglas.